Teheran allowed two hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking one.

Simmons' bases-loaded, two-out double came on a 99 mph fastball from Trevor Rosenthal. With the count at 2-1, Simmons was looking for a fastball.

"I know he was behind in the count and I know he's comfortable with his fastball," Simmons said. "He throws pretty hard. I was ready for it. ... I was just looking for something over the plate and he threw it somewhere I could reach it."

Randy Choate (1-1) walked Freddie Freeman to open the eighth. Evan Gattis struck out and Brian McCann singled. Rosenthal relieved and struck out Dan Uggla before walking Chris Johnson to load the bases.

Luis Avilan (3-0) pitched a perfect eighth and Craig Kimbrel recorded three outs to earn his 30th save.

Teheran allowed a two-out double to Matt Holliday in the first and then walked Allen Craig. The right-hander permitted only one baserunner — Jon Jay doubled in the fifth — through the next six innings.

"I think that's the best game I've ever pitched," Teheran said. "The command I had today, I think that's the best I've had this year."

Holliday was activated off the 15-day disabled list before the game. He had been out since July 12 with a strained right hamstring.

Simmons hit eighth as Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez juggled his lineup. Heyward hit leadoff for only the second game this season. Upton, normally the No. 3 hitter, batted second for the first time in 2013.

Simmons had two hits. Though he ranks second on the team with 14 go-ahead RBIs, Simmons felt he was overdue to deliver the clutch hit.

"I know I've been struggling with runners in scoring position this year," he said. "I've been trying, but it's nice to see results."

NOTES: With two hits and a walk, Johnson is hitting .332 to tie the Cardinals' Yadier Molina for the NL lead. Molina was 0 for 3. ... The Cardinals optioned OF-1B Brock Peterson to Triple-A Memphis to clear a roster spot for Holliday. ... Gonzalez said he is 95 percent certain RHP Brandon Beachy, returning from elbow ligament-replacement surgery in June 2012, will come off the DL to start Monday night's game against Colorado. ... The three-game series ends Sunday night when Atlanta RHP Kris Medlen faces St. Louis rookie RHP Shelby Miller.

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